Jefferson Parish residents and business owners are invited to join the seventh session of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Citizens Academy. The eight-week long program which begins April 3 gives residents the chance to learn the inner workings of the parish's largest law enforcement agency.

JPSO

The program will include lectures about various procedures, policies and departments at the Sheriff's Office, including criminal investigations, the K-9 unit, the SWAT team and the bomb squad. Participants will also take field trips to the Sheriff's Office firing range, the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, the crime lab and the new 911 center, according to Deputy Chief Steve LaChute, commander of the Technical Service Bureau.

The Citizens Academy is open, free of charge, to any Jefferson Parish resident over the age 21 with no serious criminal history. Civic leaders, business owners and neighborhood watch participants are encouraged to participate.

The academy is held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday evenings. Participants must attend six of the eight sessions to graduates.

Those interested can contact LaChute at 504.363.5547 or download the application directly at http://www.jpso.com/documents/Citizens_Academy_Application.pdf.